Sunday, December 23, 2012

The Christmas Tree Ship


Rouse Simmons Centennial CelebrationThis is an interesting story about a vessel from ship history. In the late 1800s, Chicago's Harbor was one of the busiest in the world. During the holiday season it was especially busy due to the sale of Christmas trees. Wooden bottom sailing vessels would sail far up into northern Michigan and bring back trees to sell.

Captain Herman Schuenemann owned a large vessel  a three-mast schooner  named the Rouse Simmons. He would load her with trees and sell them right off the deck. People knew who she was because the captain would decorate his ship with lights and greenery.

In order to cut expenses he had to transport as many trees as possible. On November 23, 1912 the ship was on its way back to Chicago on Lake Michigan and was caught in a terrible storm. The weight of 5,000 or so Christmas trees contributed to the sinking of the Rouse Simmons. The Captain and the his crew of 12 sailors perished.

Many years later, Milwaukee diver Kent Bellrichard discovered the vessels remains in just 165 feet of water 12 miles northeast of Two Rivers, Wisconsin. On November 30, 2012 the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw re-enacted the Rouse Simmons landing in Chicago. Thousands of Christmas trees were delivered to deserving families throughout Chicago.

For more information on Captain Santa and the Rouse Simmons, go to
Lynn Conaway

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